South Australia's rego system being investigated for illegalities

THE STATE'S car registration system is being investigated amid concerns it may be operating illegally. 

 

If that is the case, thousands of car owners could claim compensation for being charged fees for periods during which their vehicle was not officially registered.

At present, if a motorist renews a registration up to 90 days after it has expired, the new registration applies from the original expiry date - not the date on which it was paid, unless a $15 fee is applied.

The state Attorney-General has asked the Crown Solicitor's Office to determine whether this was within the law.

The investigation was sparked by motorist John Staszynski, 66, after he was fined $375 late last year for driving his vehicle two weeks after the registration had expired.

When Mr Staszynski renewed his registration for three months he was told the registered period applied from the expiry of his old registration - which included the time he was driving unregistered.

"I was effectively receiving a registration period of two weeks less than I had paid," Mr Staszynski said.
"It seemed they wanted it both ways - to fine me for being unregistered then retrospectively charge registration for that same period."

The Clearview resident said he first challenged the matter in the Magistrates' Court where he was fined only $100 because the magistrate couldn't determine if the Transport Department was within its rights to apply a renewal retrospectively.

Mr Staszynski then wrote to his local MP, Attorney-General John Rau.

Mr Rau referred the legality of the actions to the Crown Solicitor's Office and said that he was awaiting its advice.

Law Society of SA president John White said if the advice went against the department "the potential is, there might be some money that's been paid (by motorists) that should be repaid".

adelaidenow.com.au  12 Mar 2013

There is more fraud in the government's hands in the form of vehicle ownership.